What are the recommended sizes for your favorite social networks?

September 6, 2023 Matt Mills Tips and Tricks 0

Social networks are in a constant state of evolution, with Twitter recently making a significant transformation by adopting the name “X.” This dynamism is also evident in the dimensions of the images we share, including those that complete our profiles. It’s crucial to remain vigilant and adapt to these changes.

The fact that social networks have become an indispensable tool in both our personal and professional lives is no secret. How we present ourselves to the world holds paramount importance. Therefore, adhering to the size guidelines set by these networks is crucial, as is ensuring the quality of the content we share.

social media

In this article, we provide an overview of the latest measurements for various formats on these platforms, including profile pictures, cover photos, videos, and stories. Keeping up with these updated dimensions is essential to make the most of your presence on social media.

Facebook Image Sizes

Facebook reigns as the social network with the largest user base, boasting around 1.96 billion active users, according to Statista. Given its prominence, our engagement on this platform demands careful attention, starting with the images we share. Below, we outline the recommended image sizes based on the chosen format.

  1. Profile Picture: For your profile photo, the recommended image size is 196 x 196 pixels. However, keep in mind that the photo will be cropped depending on the device’s screen size during access. On desktop versions, it’s displayed at 176 x 176 pixels, while on smartphones, the image appears at 196 x 196 pixels. Basic phones will show it at a reduced size of 36 x 36 pixels.
  2. Cover Photo: Ideally, your cover photo should be a minimum of 400 pixels wide by 150 pixels tall. Facebook suggests using a JPG file that measures 851 pixels in width and 315 pixels in height, with a file size no larger than 100Kb to ensure smoother loading. The displayed screen size varies based on the device, appearing as 820 x 312 pixels for desktop versions and 640 x 360 pixels for smartphones.
  3. Posts: When it comes to regular posts, the recommended image size is 1200 x 630 pixels. You can also share square images with dimensions of 1080 x 1080 pixels. For portrait-oriented photos, the size should be 1080 x 1350 pixels.
  4. Stories: For Facebook Stories, you should adhere to a specific size of 1080 x 1920 pixels. Similar to Instagram Stories, the aspect ratio is 9:16. It’s essential to ensure that the most critical information remains at the center of the image, preventing any other element from obstructing it.

These dimensions will help you optimize your image content on Facebook, ensuring that your visuals look their best across various devices and platforms.

Instagram Image Dimensions

Instagram‘s impact is heavily driven by its visual content, making it essential to adhere to the recommended dimensions for various formats, including profile photos, reels, and stories.

 

  1. Profile Photo and Feed Posts:
    • Profile Photo: The recommended size for your profile picture is 320 x 320 pixels. Similar to Facebook, Instagram displays profile photos in a circular format, so it’s crucial to avoid placing crucial information at the edges, as it may be cropped. Instagram does not provide an option to zoom in on profile photos, so clarity is essential.
    • Feed Posts: For posts in your feed, the ideal dimensions are 1080 x 1350 pixels, with a 4:5 aspect ratio. If you prefer a square format, ensure that your post is 1080 x 1080 pixels, with a 1:1 aspect ratio. Landscape-oriented posts should be 1080 x 566 pixels, with a 1.91:1 aspect ratio. If you upload images with dimensions smaller than these recommendations, Instagram will automatically enlarge them, potentially resulting in a loss of resolution. Conversely, if your images are larger, you will need to select a specific area to crop, so it’s best to adhere to Instagram’s recommended dimensions.
  2. Stories and Reels:
    • Stories: Stories are among Instagram’s most widely viewed formats, demanding attention to detail. The recommended size is 1080 x 1920 pixels, mirroring the dimensions for Facebook Stories. To ensure image quality, the minimum resolution should be 600 x 1067 pixels. Maintain an aspect ratio of 9:16 and keep the file size under 4GB.
    • Reels: For horizontal videos in reels, the dimensions are 1080 x 1080 pixels. In the case of vertical videos, it’s advisable to stick to 1080 x 1350 pixels. As with stories, ensure that your video files do not exceed 4GB in size.

Adhering to these dimensions will help you present your content in the best possible way on Instagram, ensuring that your visuals look great across various devices and formats.

Twitter’s Image Dimensions Remain Unchanged

Despite Twitter’s recent name change to “X,” the image dimensions for posts and other essential functions remain consistent.

  1. Profile Photos: For profile pictures, it’s recommended to use an image size of 400 x 400 pixels, with a minimum size of 200 x 200 pixels. Keep in mind that Twitter displays profile pictures in a circular format, so it’s crucial to ensure that all the vital information is centered. Additionally, the maximum file size allowed is 2MB.
  2. Cover Photos: Another impactful element of your X profile is the cover photo. In this case, the recommended image size is 1500 x 500 pixels. To ensure proper loading, the maximum file size is set at 5MB. This size limit applies to most types of posts you make on X, except for GIFs, where the maximum file size is extended to 15MB.

By adhering to these dimensions and size limits, you can make the most of your X profile and ensure that your visuals are presented effectively to your audience.

Image Size for LinkedIn

LinkedIn is renowned as the premier professional social network, emphasizing the importance of adhering to specific image dimensions and maintaining a high level of quality. To clarify image sizes for publications, we need to differentiate between personal and company accounts.

Personal Pages:

  • Profile Photo: The recommended dimensions for your profile picture should be a minimum of 400 x 400 pixels, ensuring high-quality imagery. The cover photo should measure 1584 x 396 pixels. LinkedIn imposes a maximum file size of 4MB to ensure smooth content loading.

Company Pages:

  • Profile Photo: Corporate pages should have a profile photo with a recommended image size of 400 x 400 pixels, with a minimum of 268 x 268 pixels. Unlike some other social networks, LinkedIn displays the profile photo in a square format with a 1:1 aspect ratio. Keep in mind that the profile photo will be superimposed in the bottom left corner of the cover photo.
  • Cover Photo: The cover photo for company pages should measure 1128 x 191 pixels, notably smaller than the dimensions for personal pages. The profile image will overlay the cover photo in the bottom left corner.

Publication Images:

  • For sharing content with your network, it’s advisable to use images with dimensions of 1200 x 627 pixels. If you prefer square images, maintain a size of 1080 x 1080 pixels. For landscape-oriented images, aim for measurements of 1080 x 1350 pixels.

By adhering to these recommended dimensions, you can ensure that your LinkedIn profile and shared content present a polished and professional appearance to your network of connections.

TikTok image size

When discussing social networks that have surged in popularity and seen remarkable growth in recent years, TikTok undoubtedly stands out. Its capacity to propel content to viral status is a defining feature, making it a favored platform for users to share videos with their followers.

  1. Profile Photo: For your profile picture on TikTok, the recommended image size is 200 x 200 pixels. While you can upload profile photos with a minimum size of 20 x 20 pixels, keep in mind that smaller images will significantly compromise the quality when displayed to your followers.
  2. Videos: Videos you wish to share on TikTok should ideally have a recommended size of 1080 x 1920 pixels, adhering to an aspect ratio of 9:16. Videos should also not exceed a maximum duration of 3 minutes.
  3. 1:1 Format: While TikTok supports videos in a 1:1 format, note that they may not display optimally to your followers. Parts of the screen may not be utilized effectively, potentially diminishing their impact.
  4. Video File Size: It’s essential to be aware that the allowed video file size varies depending on the operating system. For Android, the maximum video size permitted is 72MB, while Apple users can upload videos with a size limit of up to 287.6MB.

By following these image and video guidelines, you can make the most of your TikTok presence and ensure your content appears polished and engaging to your audience.

Pinterest Image Size

Pinterest covers a vast array of topics, offering inspiration on everything from recipes and home decor to travel and product design. To effectively engage and inspire your followers or promote your brand, it’s important to adhere to the recommended image sizes for various elements on Pinterest.

  1. Profile Photo: For your profile picture, the recommended image size is 165 x 165 pixels. Keep in mind that, like many social networks, Pinterest displays profile photos in a circular format. Your profile photo will appear at 165 x 165 pixels on your home page. However, when browsing other Pinterest pages, this area will be reduced to 32 x 32 pixels. Additionally, profile photo files should not exceed 10MB in size.
  2. Cover Banner: The recommended size for your cover image is 800 x 450 pixels. Ensure your cover image is visually appealing and aligned with your Pinterest theme or interests.
  3. Pin Images: When creating pins, use images with a recommended size of 1000 x 1500 pixels, always in a vertical orientation. Pinterest recommends an aspect ratio of 2:3 for each image, enhancing the user experience. For pins, the maximum size for each file should be less than 20MB.

By adhering to these image dimensions and file size limits, you can make the most of your Pinterest presence and create visually appealing content that resonates with your audience.

YouTube Image Size

YouTube is the premier platform for video content, hosting a vast array of videos that are updated daily to reflect the latest trends and events. It’s crucial to pay attention to image dimensions on your YouTube channel for a polished appearance.

  1. Profile Photo: The recommended image size for your profile picture is 800 x 800 pixels. Keep in mind that YouTube displays this photo with dimensions of 98 x 98 pixels. Ensure the content of your photograph is centered to prevent cropping that could cut out important elements.
  2. Channel Banner: Your channel banner should adhere to a recommended image size of 2560 x 1440 pixels, maintaining an aspect ratio of 16:9. The cover photo should have a minimum size of 2048 x 1152 pixels. YouTube ensures that with measurements of 1456 x 423 pixels, your cover photo will be fully visible on various access devices. Be mindful of the image’s file size, which should not exceed 6MB.
  3. Thumbnail Images: Thumbnails play a crucial role in attracting viewers. For these, the recommended image size is 1280 x 720 pixels, with a minimum width requirement of 640 pixels.
  4. Video Dimensions: When publishing videos, they should have a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, adhering to an aspect ratio of 16:9. This ensures your videos appear crisp and engaging to your audience.

By following these recommended image dimensions, you can create a visually appealing YouTube channel that effectively showcases your content and engages your viewers.

Snapchat Image Size

Snapchat remains a popular social network, particularly among younger users. Known for its vertical content, Snapchat adopts an aspect ratio of 9:16. Here are the specific image size requirements for various types of Snapchat content:

For both ads and regular posts on Snapchat, the recommended image dimensions are 1080 x 1920 pixels, maintaining the 9:16 aspect ratio. It’s important to adhere to these dimensions for your content to display correctly on the platform.

Snapchat also imposes limitations on the file size of your images. Whether you’re using PNG or JPEG format, your images should not exceed 5MB in weight. Ensuring your images meet these size and format requirements will help you create engaging and visually appealing content on Snapchat.